I have asked Bicknellski for some details (particularly about cost) and he provided me with even more information than I asked for (Thanks Bicknellski!) Bicknellski also had some very useful suggestions.

Here is a portion of his response:

Quote from: Bicknellski

So the questions then reverts back to you.

1. Is your group buy looking to license and fabricate units?2. Is your group buy looking only to buy finished units?3. Are your group members buy interested in membership and opt in status?

He added:

Quote from: Bicknellski

I might suggest that if you are buying A1 chips that you infact go all the way to fabrication and use either Black Arrow or someone here in the collective can help support you looking for such a site to fabricate. This ideally would be the CHEAPEST and FASTEST way to get your units to your members.

I think that going with Bicknellski's advisement is the direction that I would like to see this go. So here is a call for qualified individuals to join SWMC (<ode to Vanderi) and start preparations for fabrication. Lets make this an open source effort with many satellite operations working in tandem for the good of the HIVE.

The best option for SWMC is to serve a dual function. If there is support amongst you guys, I suggest we: 1. Fabricate Wasp and Hive units to power SWMC's very own mining farm. 2. Provide a low cost/at cost fabrication service for SWMC partners (and offer low cost hosting.)

It seems logical that #2 is the best way atm to hedge against corporate dominance over the bitcoin network (e.i. keep cost as low as possible for the average individual.)

As I have learned (the painful way), there is only so much that I can do as a single individual. There is allot of work that needs to be done and, although I could do any particular task myself, I cannot do all the tasks myself (at least not in any realistic time frame.) So this is a call for participation to join SWMC by offering your talents to the HIVE.

I do not expect anyone to offer their services for free, so we will also have to all agree on a way to provide future compensation to current participants.

I will start a ZOHO project (<ode to Vanderi) so that it will be easier to communicate. I may also create a forum just for this purpose.

I will continue to add additional details as I work through the options available and as I gain greater insight into the costs and needed tasks.

We will also need to raise capital to cover some of the initial costs. SWMCwill not except donations, but if you would like to help support this GB project you can make a contribution in several ways; Make a pledge (e.i. exspress that you are willing to cover certain cost and pay them directly,) Make a contribution by starting an escrow account to fund specific tasks for the project, Make a contribution to the address in my sig.

All of these methods will entitle the contributor to a stake in the SWMC mining farm or credit towards fabricated hardware and perhaps additional benefits.

I want this to be OUR porject, not just my project. So, if you have anything to add or wish to suggest changes or certain additional features,... PLEASE... DO SO!

As Vanderi indicated, KnCMiner has announced there Next Gen Miner (20nm asic.) Details are sketchy atm, I think it would be a good idea to consider a GB for these units. Does anyone have more information other than what is(n't) on the KnCMiner website?